Dear Brothers and Sisters this year we again Mark yet another mile stone in celebrating the day when workers fought and died in pursuance of their rights.
We pay tribute to those who died in the process as we continue on their legacy for fighting for the rights of the workers for better living condition, decent work and social cohesion.
It's one year today when the Covid19 Pandemic hit the world and like other Countries The Gambia was not spared. We all witness increases in positive cases and the head for Government in collaboration with the workers and Employers in addressing the human dimension of the crisis for the simple reason that the informal sector, Young people, Women, Pensioners and migrant workers are all devastated consequent to this muster Virus
The pandemic which has not only decimated jobs and put the livelihood of workers families as breadwinners loose their Jobs. The Pandemic has brought about Boarder closures, lock down and confinement restricting preventing agricultural workers from accessing the markets to sell their harvested produce. For others especially the informal workers who are most vulnerable are unable to earn income and to feed their families. No income, means no food or at best less food and less nutritious food.
In The Gambia many have lost their Jobs including in the Tourism as Hotels closures became the order of the day. Trade has declined and so the movement of goods have reduced drastically affecting the transport sub Sector. The informal economy which plays a very import role in the economic development of the Country suffered as a result of this muster ours pandemic. In general the COVID 19 pandemic has affected every worker as prices of essential commodities high rocketed unchecked by the Authorities.
COVID 19 pandemic has brought about lots of challenges to our Government and theirs is a need for the Gambia Government to develop long term sustainable strategies to address these challenges in order to tackle poverty create better jobs in the rural economy and formalise the informal economy.
As workers organisation representing different Trade Unions GamTUB will continue to protect the interest of its members while working closely with Government of on all Industrial Relation issues. As stakeholder in the International Labour Organisation ( ILO) we have along with International Organisations and Government been taking part in all their Virtual Forum organised by ILO . On the invitation of the Governing Body of the ILO some of our members have have completed and awarded Certificates on lines Coursers organised by the ILO /ITC Training Centre in Turin Italy viz:
Kebba Masaneh Ceesay Chairman GambTUB
Ms Mariama Saine Gambia Labour Congress
Mrs Mariama Drammeh MRC Workers Union
Mr Modou Lamin Sillah Gambia Horticultural &GWU
We look forward to in person training Programmes with the ILO during the Course of this year to include:
-Strategic Development plan for path way to United Labour Movement Development and workers awareness on all International Labour Convention.
- Workshop on Elite Workers Education
- Workshop ILO convention with particular reference to ratification of C190
We conclude by congratulating the GOVERNMENT, Employers and Labour Unions on the occasion of the 2021 International Labour Day commonly known as Workers Day.
Like other occasion on this day we in the workers Movement wish to call on the Gambia Government through the Honourable Minister of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment to
- Consider workers representative to serve in all National Policy Advisory Committees including the Advisors to The President .
- Make sure that the New draft Constitution is put into force before the next General Election. We voted for a new Gambia and everyone stake holder must live up to his committed to make Gambia a better place.
- To create a central Data tracking System for Transit goods and that all Vehicles MUST be escorted to the Border so that there is no fraud in the process.
- Make sure that the Inter Transit Plate is issued by the Ministry of Trade and not The GCCI who are themselves the Businessmen.
- To look into the plight of the Pensioners earning.
- To speed up the introduction of the Trade Union Bill
- Formalise the Informal economy
- Consider to upward review of wages in order to commensurate with the current cost of living.
On a Final Note long live Workers Unity
Long live the Republic of The Gambia.
KEBBA MASANEH CEESAY
CHAIRMAN
GAMBIA TRADE UNION BUREAU
TRADE UNION HOUSE
JIMPEX ROAD,KANIFING.
TEL 2203800888
